On My Mind

Melanie is constantly on my mind. Last night I bumped into Dina on the streets of Stamford. She was with Melanie the last time I saw her. It was so nice to have a random conversation about Melanie, to say things that I only keep repeating in my own head. I searched my home recently for things Melanie. After moving several times not a lot has made it to my new home but I did find a book from the shelves of the Jyoti yoga studio. When she decided to close the space she did what Melanie was good at, she gave. I took a few books. This one in particular not only had the Jyoti stamp in it, as well as her giving words "please return to jyoti so others may have the opportunity to share in this knowledge as well," but on the first page the book also was stamped "In Loving Memory of My Guru Roberta." Roberta, a pioneer of yoga in this area, also passed on before her time. I am comforted by the thought of the two of their souls reconvening, practicing and dancing. I am comforted by the thought of the two of them giggling about their new found knowledge of the secrets we all question and wonder, just what does happen when a soul is ready to move on. I say ready with confidence. Melanie, fearlessly, walking back into her home, must have already grasped the secret, heard the whisper, maybe somewhere deep in her breath.

Redding Meditation Center

Dear friends,

I am going up to the Redding Meditation Center today for their 10-11:30 am Meditation and Dhamma talk.For those of you who have not tried meditation, it is an excellent way to learn how to cope with stress, including the loss of a beloved friend. Namaste - Alex

If you are wondering what namaste means, have a look at this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

Well Alex I hope my hug gave you as much comfort as Ann's. As far as the scholarship for yoga teacher training $20,000 should cover at least ten people. Roberta trained us for under $2000. I think the scholarship is wonderful and I am sure Melanie would be impressed. My prayers are for Melanie's husband, I hear he has third degree burns and is in Bridgeport Hospital. I understand he is in critical condition and my heart goes out to him. I can't even imagine what he must be going through right now. I pray that the doctors and nurses give him as much comfort as is possible. Thanks for starting this blog Alex.

The Yoga Scholarship Fund in memory of Melanie

On Thursday May 28th, 2009, the Board of Directors of ProMindful, Inc., unanimously decided to create a fully endowed Yoga Scholarship Fund in memory of Melanie Weeks Sammarco. The scholarship fund, endowed with $20,000 to start, will enable one qualified student per year to attend the yoga teacher training of his or her choice. The scholarship will pay for one third of the full price of the training. The school will pay for one third, and the student must pay for one third, so ProMindful, The School, and The Student, all share equal 'buy-in' to the training.

ProMindful, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization promoting mindfulness, and holistic health and wellness. Donations are fully tax deductible. If you are interested in supporting ProMindful or The new Yoga Scholarship Fund, please send your tax deductible contributions to: ProMindful, Inc., 1177 High Ridge Rd, Suite 111, Stamford, CT 06905. Please feel free to contact me (a Co-Founder) at: (203) 856-5299 if you have any questions. - Alex Nason

The Gathering.

A hundred people from all walks of life showed up today to participate in Melanie's gathering. I saw several familiar faces, including Ann Russell, Julia Supple and her sister, Liz Pia, Adelina Boata, and Jamie Dickinson. There was a very nice display of photos from every year of Melanie's life, lots of flowers, and boat loads of food and drink. The weather was warm and sunny, and several people spoke very nice words of praise about Melanie. Most people, including myself, were too choked up to speak.  In the end, Ann Russell gave me the exact same kind of 'yoga' hug Melanie always gave me and THAT was it for me! I had to go outside for some fresh air and another box of kleenex! Namaste - Alex

Healing

In email to me, Jeanne, Licurse says:

I just opened the newsletter from Saraswati's and read the devastating news about Melanie. Although I did not know her I am heartbroken to hear of this tragedy.

I saw the blog you started and I wanted to contact you to offer my love, prayers and homeopathic support.

The homeopathic remedy Ignatia is extraordinarily helpful for such shock and grief. The stores carry 30c potency but I have higher potencies because of my license. I have other remedies for her injured husband (burn remedies).

I am working at the studio (Saraswati) tomorrow from 8:30-1. I will bring these remedies with me for whoever may benefit from them. If you require some please stop by to see me or I can bring it to you.

... and ...

If you are in shock and crying take the Ignatia, if you are in a type of "startled" shock state take Arnica. ... repeat it until you start to feel a bit steadier. 2 or 3 pellets under your tongue until it dissolves, repeat every hour if necessary.

Ple ase let me know how I can help. 

From: Jeanne Licurse <jeannelicurse@aol.com> 

I met Melanie at Yoga Source in 2001. I was trained in yoga by the same teacher Roberta Fortune Dale. Melanie was in the graduating group before me, so I didn't have a chance to know her intimately, however since she was part of the Yoga Source family, I got to be an acquaintance of hers. I was happy when she opened up Jyoti Yoga and had the opportunity to take a class with her. She created a cozy atmosphere in the room she taught and was gentle and caring in her approach. I remember around the time I met her maybe 2002 I went to a Halloween party and ran into her. She was dressed up as an exotic butterfly, very sparkly, cool over-the-top cosutme. The last time I saw her was at LA Fitness. I had a conversation with her about Jyoti Yoga and she said she was keeping the place but only cutting hair and doing massage. She seemed happy. I later learned through the grapevine that she had gotten married and that she was very content. I am so incredibly sad for an unexpected and tragic end to such a short life. I am especially sad for her husband and his situation and my heart goes out to him, to his family and friends, to Melanie's family and friends and would like to continue to show my support any way that I can.

Leave a comment if you have a hard time POSTING.

Dear Friends, I have been made aware of the fact that posting to this blog requires a nuisance of a sign up process. Please just click on any COMMENT link to bypass all the signup stuff. Thank you for posting (or commenting!)  You may also send email to alex@alexnason.com and I will post anything you like for you. (Please include your name and email address in the message if you would like others to be able to contact you). Namaste - Alex

Peace Om and Melanie

Bright, funny, HONEST, creative, always Inclusive, forthright, Brave...she had a a beautiful form that moved with grace, contagious laughter and a gorgeous voice. Sometimes I would listen to her voicemails more than once. "Hi, this is MELL - a - nee". I watched her work at Jyoti ---She was sometimes a shrink, sometimes a doctor, sometimes a comedian, depending on what the client needed. I never knew how she could wear so many hats. It just came naturally to her.

She loved Jyoti, she loved Mattea, she loved people. She did things her way in her own terms. She lived her life with a lot of Zest!
She is a front page story. I am so very proud of her. It gives me comfort to know that everyone now knows what kind of special person she is. I don't think she ever got the kind of credit she deserved in this life.

I had a dream about her last night. "hi, Linda" I turned around to see this amazing white light it blinded me and I had to squint. Finally, I could make out the side of her face and form in the light. I thought, "She is Jyoti". Jyoti means light, but my Indian friend tells me it is much more than this... it is a very special light, the light that comes from your heart. I ran to her and exclaimed, "Jesus, Melanie, I think YOU deserve a standing ovation!" and I do.

Linda

When I think of Melanie

When I think of Melanie I see a genuine smile on her face and I can hear her joyful laughter. When I think of Melanie I feel her warm hugs from every single time we met. When I think of Melanie her generosity comes to my mind, always giving, loving and supporting people. When I think of Melanie I feel gratitude for the way she welcomed me as a teacher at Jyoti and I see a 'tree' of candles inviting students into her studio. When I think of Melanie I am reminded of the prayer that is posted on her website; chanting it with my students yesterday brought me peace. Om shanti.

Lovely Melanie

I never met Melanie but I knew her through Alex and had a few email exchanges and conversations about her trip to Prague.  Each time she wrote me or we spoke, she was warm and very pleasant. I truly feel that this is a tragedy for her husband, family and friends and I wish them well. 

Jean

Gathering To Be Held On Friday May 29th 12-4pm

There will be a gathering of Melanie's friends and family tomorrow from 12-4pm at The Patriotic American Club in Norwalk, 26 Sniffen Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-6129. All are welcome! Bring your stories, memories, hugs, and healing.

Note: The gathering tomorrow at The Patriotic American Club in Norwalk, CT tomorrow from Noon to 4pm may very well be the last and only 'service' in the local area for Melanie. The final funeral service may consist of a hike up Mohonk Mountain to spread her ashes some time in the future TBD. 

- Alex

Dear friends, this morning I decided to create a BLOG in memory of Melanie Weeks Sammarco. Please feel free to add your thoughts, dreams, inspiration, and memories. For me, every May 26th "from here on" will be "Melanie Day" and I plan to do something truly significant (from a healing standpoint) to honor her. In the mean time, I will do smaller things, from time to time, with her spirit in mind. I'll post them here and I hope you do too. Inspiration number one was creating this BLOG.

Namaste - Alex Nason

In effort to save house guest, woman perishes in early morning fire

Update: In effort to save house guest, woman perishes in early morning fire. (Norwalk Hour)

Posted on 05/26/2009

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NORWALK

By STEVE KOBAK

Hour Staff Writer 


A 39-year-old yoga instructor died early Tuesday morning while trying to save a house guest from a raging fire that killed two in her second floor apartment at 13 Burwell St.
Melanie Weeks Sammarco, who owned Jyoti Yoga and Wellness in Stamford, escaped the 3 a.m. blaze with her husband Mattia Sammarco but decided to rush back into the burning building when she discovered her guest had not made it out, fire officials said. 
“The world lost a wonderful person today, someone who was irreplaceable,” said Sandra Schuyler, Sammarco’s longtime friend. “She was always helping people.”
The house guest, whose name has not yet been released, also died in the fire. Mattia Sammarco is currently being treated in the burn unit of Bridgeport Hospital.
Fire officials say they responded to a two family home 13 Burwell St. for a brush fire call at 3 a.m. but the fire was much larger than reported.
When emergency crews arrived on the scene, they saw flames shooting up into the air from the back deck and fire engulfing the second floor of the home, according to police reports. 
The people who resided on the first floor were outside of the home and they told firefighters that some of the second floor residents were still inside, fire officials said. 
Firefighters were also informed that Mattia Sammarco had escaped the fire through an exterior stairwell and his clothing was on fire as he ran to safety. Melanie Sammarco and a guest were still inside the burning house, fire crews were informed.
Firefighters rescued the house guest but were unable to locate Melanie Sammarco. The house guest succumbed to his injuries, fire officials said.
A few errant sparks of a discarded cigarette sparked the late night blaze, according to Fire Chief Denis McCarthy.
Neighbors said they were awakened by the smell of smoke and the sound of a woman screaming. 
“I keep hearing the screaming in my head,” said Christine Belcher, who lives two houses away from the site of the blaze “I kept hearing it last night. It was devastating.”
Belcher, who lives at 15 Burwell St., said a heavy scent of smoke wafted into her window and she thought her home was on fire. Belcher said she was about to kick in her roommate’s door to wake her up and get her out of the house when saw fire trucks responding to the fire. 
Melanie and Mattia Sammarco married about one month ago and had recently moved in together, according to Melanie Sammarco’s family. 
Schuyler and other members of Sammarco’s friends and family were supposed to move some of the couple’s belongings into a storage facility on Tuesday. When they arrived at the couple’s residence at 9 a.m., officials informed them about the fire, the family said.
Melanie Sammarco was a world traveler who enjoyed meeting new people and was “all about positive energy,” said her aunt Carol Sargent.
“You could hug her and it was so warm that it would stay with you for hours,” she said.